February 16, 2024

Acknowledgement of Harm: Reconciliation Practice Brief

Acknowledgements of harm—clear and specific statements about the harmful impacts of policing, delivered by police leaders—are the first step towards creating meaningful conversations about repair. Stating plainly that what happened was real and matters, when those truths have so often been swept under the rug, lends credibility to commitments to change and collaboration. Just as in interpersonal relationships, when harms go unnamed, they continue to create tension and distrust. By openly taking responsibility for these harms on behalf of their department and the broader institution of policing, police leaders make their work to build legitimacy more effective.

February 16, 2024

Police Leaders Acknowledge Past Harm: Examples

Law enforcement leaders from around the United States are increasingly beginning to address past harms through clear acknowledgements of their profession’s historical missteps and strong statements regarding a new vision for police conduct. These statements reflect a belief in the responsibility to acknowledge previous ills, and the conviction that recognition of the resulting harm is the first step toward building community trust, and shaping a more just law enforcement culture. The following are examples of public statements made by prominent police officials acknowledging these past harms.

June 16, 2022

Louisville mayor apologizes for systemic racism at Juneteenth luncheon

Mayor Greg Fischer apologized to Black Louisvillians for centuries for systemic racism, including the accusations levied against the so-called “Black Six.” The Black Six were a group of businessmen and activists who were accused of plotting to destroy buildings in West Louisville during a week-long rebellion in 1968. The mayor’s comments came at a Juneteenth

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August 18, 2021

Accountable and Inclusive Policing: Three Perspectives on Diversity and Equity

Dr. Paul David Smith, High School Principal (Ret.), Directory of Reconciliation, National Network for Safe Communities: “While facilitating a meeting of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in the library of the school where I was principal, I received a text that one of my students had been shot and was being rushed

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August 18, 2021

Reconciliation Issue Brief

Police-Community Reconciliation is a method of facilitating frank engagement between harmed communities and police that allows them to address grievances, misconceptions, and historical tensions, and reset relationships. Based on transitional justice and global truth and reconciliation practices, it is an opportunity for institutions to reckon with past harms, investigating how they continue into the present,

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June 23, 2021

Biden rolling out gun violence prevention strategy

President Biden is unveiling a new initiative aimed at tackling what he calls the nation’s “gun violence epidemic.” The administration’s initiatives include stemming the flow of illegal guns, supporting local law enforcement and investing in community violence intervention methods. The administration will also expand summer programming and employment opportunities for teenagers and young adults and

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May 25, 2021

What has changed a year after George Floyd’s death?

Today marks one year since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparking protests nationwide. CBS News’ Jeff Pegues reports on the ongoing push for police reform, and Paul Smith, the director of reconciliation at the National Network at John Jay College, joined CBSN with a look at what has changed a year later.

March 31, 2021

Traffic stops make poverty a crime, retired Birmingham police captain says

During my tenure as the Commander of the West Precinct of the Birmingham Police Department, the city’s largest precinct, I wanted to create more time for officers to proactively patrol. Even before, during my time as a shift lieutenant at the same precinct, I was frustrated that officers were consumed with service calls that allowed

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September 4, 2020

“Behind the Badge: Policing in America”

On August 27th, Field Advisor Danneile Davis participated in a panel discussion called “Behind the Badge: Policing in America” hosted by Soulful Synergy, LLC in partnership with the Rotary Club of Harlem, The Rotary Club of Bronxville, Rotary District 7230 and Rotary District 5710. She was joined by two National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice partners, Chief Eric

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September 3, 2020

Perspectives on Policing and Protests Six Years After Ferguson

“Communities need police, they just don’t need the police that they have been getting.” —David Kennedy On August 27th, David Kennedy joined a panel hosted by John  Jay President Karol V. Mason along with: Benjamin B. Tucker ’77, New York Police Department First Deputy Commissioner and John Jay alumnus; Isaac Bryan, Director of Public Policy at the Ralph

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